‘Wonderful’ Gerrard reveals his long-term plan to Klopp

Liverpool: New training plans

Jurgen Klopp has described Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as a “wonderful guy” after the two met to determine Gerrard’s career path.

Last week it was announced that Gerrard will return to Liverpool next month to take up a full-time coaching role with the club’s academy.

The former Liverpool captain will be based at the club’s youth complex in Kirkby, helping the professional development of their young players.

Klopp always saud the “door was open” for Gerrard and after meeting the 36-year-old he was only to happy to allow him to return to Anfield.

“We had a good very long talk together. He’s a wonderful guy,” said Klopp.

“For me it was only important to know what Steven wants and he said he wants to be a manager in the future. That’s cool. I said I’d do everything I can do to make him the best manager he can be.

“We spoke about the academy and that’s great. For him, for us, I think it’s perfect.

“Being a manager is a job you have to learn and when a person like Steven Gerrard and the player he was is ready to make the steps, that is wonderful news for football.

“Combining his playing experience with all the things he will learn from now on will be a bright future. It is brilliant.”

Gerrard, who turned down an offer to become MK Dons manager in November, has been a regular at the Reds’ academy since retiring from professional football and believes returning to the club he represented for 17 years is the right step for him.

“It feels like completing the circle; returning to the place where professionally it all began,” Gerrard said last week. “However, this isn’t a decision based on emotion – it’s about what I can offer and contribute to Liverpool.

“I don’t think I need to explain to people what this football club means to me, but when I knew coming back was a serious option I wanted to make sure it was a substantive role and a role in which I could really help the organisation.”